Synthesis of colloids based on gold nanoparticles dispersed in castor oil

• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-008-9483-z
• Publication Date: 2008-08-29T13:08:04Z
• Authors: E. C. da Silva; M. G. A. da Silva; S. M. P. Meneghetti; G. Machado; M. A. R. C. Alencar; J. M. Hickmann; M. R. Meneghetti
• Keywords: Gold Colloid; Particle (ecology)

New colloidal solutions of gold nanoparticles (AuNP), using castor oil as a nontoxic organic dispersant agent, were prepared via three different methods. In all three cases, tetrachloroauric(III) acid was employed as the gold source. The colloids were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The AuNP produced by the three methods were quasispherical in shape, however with different average sizes. The individual characteristics of the nanoparticles presented in each colloidal system were also confirmed by observation of absorption maxima at different wavelengths of visible light. Each method of synthesis leads to colloids with different grades of stability with respect to particle agglomeration.